Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain his service treatment records and determine if he experienced fear of hostile military activity during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C and depression are not related to her active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's coloboma of the left eye was a congenital defect and not aggravated by service, thus denying service connection for this condition. The psychiatric claim is pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diffuse disc syndrome with pain and loss of motion, and bulging disc at L4-L5 and L5-S1 was denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was granted, and the effective date is set at September 12, 1985.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depression and TDIU prior to April 25, 2011 were denied by the Board.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records, ensure proper examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, and consider entitlement to TDIU.

The Board found no current disability of the left knee, bladder or gastrointestinal system. The Veteran's service treatment records did not show any complaints, symptoms or diagnoses related to these conditions during his active duty. VA examinations and treatment records also failed to identify any such disabilities. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD as secondary to service-connected conditions, has been reopened. The evidence now includes new and material information that suggests the Veteran may have developed these conditions during or related to his military service.

The Veteran's disability rating for major depressive disorder was reduced from 70% to noncompensable effective March 1, 2010. The Board found that the reduction was not properly followed due to improper notification and ordered a restoration of the 70% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right arm, major depressive disorder, and left hip bursitis has been granted. The Veteran now has a disability rating of 10% for his cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inextricably intertwined issues and insufficient examination for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO/AMC for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims of entitlement to higher ratings for depressive disorder and TDIU will be reconsidered after this process.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal after receiving a permanent and total rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all issues on appeal, including those related to service connection for various conditions and exposure claims.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and awarded a rating of 20 percent for the period from October 10, 2004 through March 2, 2008 for residuals of a right shoulder injury.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left foot plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and a need for further development, including obtaining inpatient hospital records from Ubon Air Base in Thailand. The Veteran is also required to provide information about any post-service treatment for psychiatric disorders.